Maromas Cemetery Restoration Photos, Middletown, CT

Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT

THE VERY FIRST SIGN FOR MAROMAS CEMETERY!
Installed on September 29, 2022.
Note: the "Old Maromas Cemetery" (aka: "Prior Cemetery") is out in the middle of the woods
near the old train depot. That is why this is the "New Maromas Cemetery."

"Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality." Emily Dickinson

A Brief Introduction to Maromas Cemetery

Maromas was a sparsely-settled, yet close-knit farming community along the Connecticut River in the southeast section of Middletown. Dairying, and the raising of sheep and grains were the principal means of livelihood. Soon after 1820, the quarries played a major role in the lives of its citizens, as well.

The surnames most frequently associated with the early history of Maromas are: Arnold, Bailey, Brainerd, Brooks, Butler, Clark, Cone, Dunham, Johnson, Lee, Lucas, Prior, Scovill, Sears, Smith, Thayer, Whitmore, and Young. Many of these surnames can be found on the gravestones of the two cemeteries in Maromas.

The first cemetery is what we today call “Prior Cemetery.” The 1885 book, “History of Middlesex County, Conn.,” (Published by J.B. Beers & Co.) calls Prior Cemetery, “The Old Cemetery in Maromas,” and says that “this yard contains but a few graves; and it was used only a short time for burial purposes. The oldest date recorded in the cemetery is that of 1708; and the latest internment designated by a tomb-stone was made in 1754. The time of the layout is unknown.”

Currently, Prior Cemetery is a forlorn little place out in the middle of the woods near the Connecticut River and the old Maromas train station. Gaining direct access to it is difficult without the assistance of Pratt and Whitney to let one traverse their land as a shortcut to it.

The second cemetery in Maromas is the one featured on this website. The same 1885 book mentioned above calls it “The New Maromas Cemetery,” and that it was “laid out by a vote of the town in January 1766.” This cemetery was laid along what used to be called River Road, which part has since been renamed Aircraft Road.

This cemetery (which we simply call “Maromas Cemetery”) is essentially a time-capsule of a community. Those who "sleep" in its ground are families and folks who grew-up together, lived together, went to school together, worked together, did business together, and are now buried together. Many are related by blood and marriage.

The heart of the village of Maromas used to sit along River Road, not too far north of Maromas Cemetery. Along this area of River Road stood many beautiful homes and farms. The families of Bailey (see photo here), Brainerd, Scovill, Smith, and Whitmore all had homesteads along River Road.

When C.A.N.E.L. (Connecticut Advanced Nuclear Engineering Lab) came through in 1956, this area was not only demolished, but buried 100-feet beneath the ground, as one local shared with me. This area is currently occupied by Pratt and Whitney.

I like to think that the Heart of Maromas still beats strong, albeit in a different place now. The Heart of Maromas is now the cemetery—the one you see here—which has been revived and loved!

About Our Little Restoration Group

The restoration work at Maromas Cemetery is a direct outgrowth of my research on Private Daniel H. Otis and his family, which I began December 2018 from my home in North Texas. It would not be an understatement to say that since then, the research and work and has taken on a life of its own!

Since autumn of 2019, my husband, Mark, and I have been slowly restoring the historic gravestones at Maromas Cemetery (Middletown, CT) with the blessing and oversight of August De France IV, who was then President of Middletown Old Burying Ground Association (Est. 1895). The work we do there is done on a volunteer basis, and it is our honor to do so! Some things in life are just not for sale.

Currently (October 2023), Mark is the President of the Middletown Old Burying Ground, and is educated in the correct methods and materials needed to repair, reset, restore, and clean historic gravestones, having taken multiple training courses with Jonathan Appell. Being one of his passions, Mark continues to read and learn about historic gravestone preservation. And I clean many of the gravestones. Note: all cleaning and repair items are specially-made, formulated and/or safe for cleaning and restoring historic gravestones.

Though we can't take all the credit, as others have come on board with us since beginning the restoration process! We've had the privilege, and pleasure of sharing the work with a few of the descendants too. There is Elton "Bud" Harvey III, the great-great grandson of Private Sherman Johnson, and Melaine Butler Smigel, the great-great grandniece of Private Nathaniel S. Butler.

Sherman Johnson and Nathaniel Butler were the Co. B comrades of Private Daniel H. Otis. All three of them enlisted together on the same day (August 4, 1862). What are the chances that it is the descendants of those two men who are now our partners in restoring Maromas Cemetery.

Then there is Sue Pokorny Thomas, who is a native of Maromas, and who also has family buried in the cemetery. Sue has assisted us with the restoration of the Elizabeth M. Otis gravestone, and also makes some of the beautiful wreaths for the cemetery gates, all from plants that grow wild in Maromas.

So many friendships and connections have resulted from our work at Maromas Cemetery that otherwise would never have come to pass! Our little group still has many seasons worth of work at Maromas (the work is slow-going, since there is only a few of us). It truly is a work in progress. There is always something to be cleaned, straightened, reset, repaired, re-done and made better (since we continue to gain new skills), planted, decorated, and discovered!

Below the reader will find many before-and-after photographs. All photos are mine unless otherwise noted. Enjoy!

Links of Interest:

> Veteran Gravestones at Maromas Cemetery

> Private Nathaniel S. Butler Memorial Headstone (at Maromas Cemetery)

> Gravestone of Daniel H. Otis Reset at the Wrong Spot in 1997

> Daniel H. Otis: His Story

********************

Maromas Cemetery Before-and-After

Maromas Cemetery, June 2016
Photo by: Che Radio on Find-a-Grave

ABOVE: Maromas Cemetery from June 2016 before we moved to Middletown. On the left side of the photo, the dilapidated grave of baby Lewie Otis (nephew of Daniel Otis) can be seen. Behind that is the upright, yet lichen-stained grave of Daniel Otis, followed by his father's (Erastus Otis) broken in half gravestone that is leaning against the tree. The gravestone is all black with grime and biological growth.

Maromas Cemetery, April 2022

ABOVE: Maromas Cemetery from April 2022 (similar angle to the June 2016 photo). Look at the difference! Many gravestones have been restored and cleaned, veteran flag markers have been placed (by myself, my son, and Melaine Butler Smigel), spring flowers have been planted, and trees have been cut.

Erastus S. Otis; Gravestone Before-and-After (Father of Daniel H. Otis)

What: repair, reset, and clean
Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT

Notes: Erastus Selden Otis was the husband of Elizabeth M. Young and the father of Daniel H. Otis (and three other children). He was the son of Stephen Otis, Jr. and Betsey Weidger Daniels. To read more about Erastus Otis, see the Otis Family Genealogy, plus the page Erastus S. Otis.

Left, "before photo," by P. Welch

LEFT: The gravestone of Erastus S. Otis is cleaved in half and leaning against a tree. This stone is black with years of grime, dirt and lichen growth. This is the gravestone that started us on the road to cemetery restoration. Originally, I hired a professional to join the two pieces and reset it. My husband and I then finished the remainder of the restoration. RIGHT: After! Erastus Otis was one tough "customer!" It took me five cleanings (over a period of several months) to return the stone to its beautiful white-colored marble. Some stones clean up easier than others. That's just the way of it. We use a specially-formulated cleaner that kills biological growth, and is safe for historic gravestones.

ERASTUS S. OTIS

DIED

Aug 4, 1864

Aged 50 Yrs.

We part to meet again.

Elizabeth M. Young (Otis); Gravestone Before-and-After (Mother of Daniel H. Otis)

What: located top portion of gravestone, repaired, reset, and cleaned
Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT
Notes: Elizabeth Mary Young was the wife of Erastus S. Otis. She was the daughter of Elizabeth Bailey and William S. Young. She was the mother of Daniel H. Otis (and three other children). To read more about Elizabeth Otis and her children, see the Otis Family Genealogy.

LEFT: Myself and another conservationist located the top-portion of Elizabeth's gravestone under at least 9-inches of sod and soil beside her burial plot. The piece in the foreground of the photo was the top-portion discovered beneath the soil. The piece in the background was the bottom half of the gravestone, which was all black with biological growth and leaning against a tree for only God knows how long. RIGHT: After! I do believe if we never began the restoration process at Maromas, the top portion of Elizabeth's gravestone would have remained missing and hidden beneath the ground.

Honestly, we aren't 100-percent happy with the way the infill work turned out and the way it's weathering on the Elizabeth Otis gravestone, so this is something we will be correcting and making better in the upcoming season. We continue to learn new skills, and will make it better.

ELIZABETH M.

wife of
ERASTUS S. OTIS,
died on her birth day
April 3, 1856
Aged 39 Yr's

Gone home.

Daniel H. Otis; Gravestone Before-and-After (Veteran)

What: Located brownstone-base and proper burial site. Relocated gravestone to proper burial site. Reset, clean, and placed Civil War G.A.R. marker with flag.
Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT
Notes: Daniel H. Otis was the son of Elizabeth M. Young and Erastus S. Otis. He was a "middle child," having two older brothers (Robert and William), and one younger brother (George). Daniel attended the little red schoolhouse in Maromas (and worked on his family's farm) before running away to war on August 4, 1862.

At some point in time, Daniel's gravestone had broken free from its brownstone base and toppled over backwards. In 1997, his gravestone was cleaned and reset by a well-meaning individual, who I will not name. Unfortunately, that individual had Daniel's gravestone reset two plots away from his burial site (aka: the wrong spot).

In August 2021, we discovered this terrible mistake while restoring Lewie Otis' gravestone (see below). See my written account (with photos and video) of this discovery on the page: Gravestone of Daniel H. Otis Reset at the Wrong Spot in 1997

Also see: "Daniel H. Otis: His Story," for more on Private Otis.

ABOVE—LEFT: This photo was taken in 2019, the year we moved to Middletown. This was Daniel's gravestone before being cleaned and reset to his proper burial site. His white marble gravestone is discolored from grime, dirt and biological growth. RIGHT: This is after I cleaned Daniel's gravestone, revealing the beautiful white marble stone that his father, Erastus, erected as a tribute to his brave Veteran son. However, in this photo, Daniel's gravestone is still standing at the wrong site, not marking his remains.

ABOVE—LEFT: Relocating Daniel's gravestone. This photo was taken on August 17, 2021 when we were in the process of moving Daniel's gravestone from the wrong spot (the spot that it stood at since 1997) and relocating it back to his proper burial site to mark his remains. Notice the jagged broken bottom of his gravestone. The broken pieces of gravestone chunks that we discovered in a brownstone base two plots away from where his gravestone was set in 1997, matched up perfectly to the jagged, broken bottom of his gravestone. Again, read more about this discovery on the page: Gravestone of Daniel H. Otis Reset at the Wrong Spot in 1997

RIGHT: The gravestone of Private Daniel H. Otis after being relocated and reset at the proper burial site, marking his remains. I gave it another good cleaning and have planted daffodil bulbs.

CO. B, 14 REG C.V.

DANIEL H.

Son of Erastus S. & Elizabeth M. Otis,

Fell in the Battle of

Fredricksburg Dec. 13,

Died in Falmouth Va,

Dec 17, 1862

AE. 15 Yrs. 8 Mo’s. & 2 D’s

“HONOR TO THE BRAVE”

Lewie Otis; Gravestone Before-and-After (Baby Nephew of Daniel H. Otis)

What: located base, relocated gravestone to proper burial site, reset, and clean.
Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT
Notes: read through my written narrative of how we discovered (as of August 2021) that the gravestone of Lewi Otis was at the wrong burial site, HERE. Lewie was the infant son of William Young Otis and Elizabeth Vashti Taylor. William was Daniel Otis' older brother.

LEFT: Lewie's gravestone is actually standing at Daniel Otis's burial site. Lewie's stone is facing backwards and barely held upright with two large granite rocks. The white marble stone is discolored with biological growth. RIGHT: After! Lewie’s gravestone is restored and reset on its little base, and cleaned.

OUR LEWIE

Son of

Wm. Y. & Elizabeth V.
Otis.
died Jan. 17, 1866
AE 1 Year, 6 Mo's.

Our loss is Lewie's gain

Curtis L. Scovill; Gravestone Before-and-After

What: repair, reset, and clean
Where: Maromas Cemetery, Middletown, CT
Notes: Curtis was the son of Eliza Ann Smith and Edwin Scovill. His middle name was Leverett.

LEFT: The gravestone of Curtis Scovill was loose from its brownstone base and laying on the ground. Part of the gravestone is embedded in the dirt and black with biological growth. RIGHT: After restoration! Wow, Curtis, you clean up extremely well!

CURTIS L.

SON OF

EDWIN & ELIZA ANN

SCOVILL.

Died June 5, 1876.

AE. 26 Y’rs. 8 mo.

PARTED ON EARTH TO MEET IN HEAVEN.

Restoring the Curtis L. Scovill Gravestone:

ABOVE—Mark working on the Curtis Scovill grave

ABOVE—LEFT & RIGHT: After mortaring Curtis’ gravestone into its brownstone base. Mark created these wooden braces to hold the stone in place while the mortar cures. Also, in the photo, are the legs of Mark's tripod. We use a tripod with half-ton hoist to move these heavy stones.

ABOVE—LEFT: Discovering the Curtis L. Scovill footstone at the grave of his grandmother, Hannah Shephard Smith! RIGHT: Mark holding the dirt-encrusted footstone of Curtis.

Discovering the Footstone of Curtis L. Scovill

The Story: While in the process of restoring the Curtis L. Scovill gravestone, we noticed that he was missing his footstone! With a long plastic rod, we poked into the earth around his gravesite and the gravesites around him, searching for it. We looked around the cemetery and on the old stone wall that is at the side and back perimeter of the cemetery (we have actually found footstones tossed onto the old stone wall previously), but no luck! We figured his footstone "walked" at some point in the past or was destroyed.

Fast-forward to when we were straightening out the tilting gravestone of Curtis' grandmother, Hannah Shephard Smith, who is buried diagonally behind him to the right. Mark and Melaine were digging at the back of Hannah's stone, and to everyone's astonishment, there was Curtis Scovill's footstone, laying face-down in the dirt at the back of his grandmother's gravestone!

We believe, at some point in the past, that someone used Curtis' footstone to prop up the backwards-leaning gravestone of his grandmother, Hannah S. Smith. Why they just didn't take a plain 'ol rock off the old stone wall, is beyond me.

We have since restored the footstone of Curtis L. Scovill to its proper place.

Eliza Ann Smith (Scovill); Gravestone Before-and-After

What: repair, refashion new pieces, reset, and clean
Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT
Notes: Thus far, Eliza Ann’s gravestone was the most challenging one to repair. Her gravestone was diagonally cracked in half from the bottom right corner all the way across to the other side. Also, a few other pieces of the gravestone were broken, and some pieces were missing entirely. Mark put his mortaring skills to work and fashioned a new “piece” with a wood-frame mold and mortar patching-material. Thank you to Bud Harvey! We couldn’t have done this one without you.

Eliza Ann's maiden name was Smith. She was the daughter of Selden Smith and Hannah Shepard, both of who are also buried in Maromas Cemetery.

LEFT: Look at the awful state of this gravestone! The break is a fearsome one and the pieces are embedded in the ground, all black with biological growth. RIGHT: After! I hope that we have brought dignity and honor back to the final resting place of Eliza Ann Scovill. The family of Eliza Ann chose one powerfully sobering epitaph for her grave: "Be Ye Also Ready." Isn’t that the truth...

Also, we aren't 100-percent happy with the way the infill work turned out and the way it's weathering on Eliza's gravestone either, so this is something we will be making better in the 2023 season. We continue to learn new skills, and will make it better.

ELIZA ANN,

WIFE OF

EDWIN SCOVILL.

Died Sept. 15, 1865.

AE 53.

BE YE ALSO READY

Restoring the Eliza Ann Scovill Gravestone:

ABOVE—LEFT: Mark, carefully digging out Eliza Ann's broken and embedded gravestone from the ground. One would be surprised at just how heavy these pieces of gravestone are! RIGHT: Mark, moving and leveling Eliza’s brownstone base with his tripod and half-ton hoist.

ABOVE—LEFT: After digging out Eliza Ann's broken and embedded gravestone from the ground. Her gravestone was not only broken in various places, but it was missing pieces too! RIGHT: Since Eliza Ann's gravestone was missing various pieces—especially at the bottom—Mark has just finished fashioning a new piece from mortar patching-material. All materials are safe, and recommended for historic graves!

ABOVE—LEFT: Setting a portion of Eliza Ann's gravestone. The brownstone base was leveled out, and then the bottom half of the gravestone was mortared into the base. Such an angry-looking break! RIGHT: Setting Eliza Ann's gravestone. The top-half of the stone has been epoxied into place and everything is secured with metal braces until the epoxy dries and the mortar cures.

Once again, a photo after restoring Eliza Ann Scovill's gravestone!
What a difference!

Hannah L. Scovill; Gravestone Before-and-After

What: reset and clean
Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT
Notes: Hannah was the daughter of Eliza Ann Smith and Edwin Scovill. Hannah's middle name was Lewis. She died of consumption, and was never married and had no children.

LEFT: Just like her mother and brother, Hannah's gravestone was loose from its brownstone base and laying on the ground. Part of the gravestone is embedded in the dirt and black with biological growth. RIGHT: Look at it now! How white. I know Hannah was pleased, and so were we!

HANNAH L,

DAUGHTER OF

EDWIN & ELIZA ANN

SCOVILL,

Died Apr. 5, 1866.

AE. 33.

“I HAVE FOUND JESUS”

Edwin Scovill; Gravestone Before-and-After

What: clean
Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT
Notes: Edwin Scovill was a stonecutter and quarryman by trade who managed the lifting and cutting of stone at the Maromas quarries. Edwin was a member of the Methodist church in Higganum, and a Sunday school teacher. He was also elected to the General Assembly of Connecticut from Middletown (1851). Later in life he was a farmer. Edwin was also the Sexton of Maromas Cemetery.

Look at the difference! It's like night-and-day! I hope Edwin is pleased with our work.

EDWIN SCOVILL,

DIED

Feb. 7, 1886

AE. 79 YRS. & 9 MO’S

“FOR IN SUCH AN HOUR AS YE THINK NOT

THE SON OF MAN COMETH.”

The Edwin Scovill Family Plot, Before-and-After

BEFORE
The Edwin Scovill Family Plot

The only gravestone standing in the Edwin Scovill Family Plot, was Edwin Scovill’s! (At far left; not shown in picture).The remainder of his family: wife Eliza, daughter Hannah, and son Curtis, were down for the count.

In above photo, graves from right to left: Curtis L. Scovill (Mark restoring his gravestone), Hannah L. Scovill, and Eliza Ann Scovill.

AFTER

The Edwin Scovill Family graves—clean and standing tall! From right to left: Curtis L. Scovill, Hannah L. Scovill, Eliza Ann Scovill, and Edwin Scovill.

Note: The backward leaning tilt of the Edwin Scovill grave has since been corrected, and his gravestone now stands perfectly upright. We have also planted grass seed at their graves.

Almira E. Scovill (Hubbard); Gravestone Before-and-After

What: clean
Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT
Notes: Almira E. Scovill was the second wife of Samuel J. Hubbard. She is the daughter of Edwin Scovill and Eliza Ann Smith. At one time, Almira was the Maromas schoolhouse teacher! No biological children.

TOP—LEFT: Before cleaning Almira's marble gravestone. It has the typical sooty-black look of grime, dirt, and lichen growth. TOP—RIGHT: After cleaning! Look at that white marble; it looks new! This took multiple cleaning over a few months, but it was worth it. BOTTOM: The pretty wreath carving on top of Almira's gravestone.

ALMIRA E. SCOVILL

WIFE OF
SAMUEL J. HUBBARD
DIED
MAY 8, 1922.
AGED 85 Y'RS. 2 MO.
& 6 DAYS

Hezekiah Merwin; Gravestone Before-and-After

What: repair, reset, and clean
Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT
Notes: Hezekiah Merwin was a farmer and gunsmith who lived on Bear Hill Road in Maromas. His wife is Eliza Ann Thayer.

LEFT: Hezekiah Merwin's grave was knocked off its pedestal base and laying on the ground, embedded in the earth; all black with biological growth. RIGHT: After repair, resetting, AND cleaning! Wow!

HEZEKIAH MERWIN

DIED

JAN. 19, 1888

AGED 84 YRS.

Eliza Thayer (Merwin); Gravestone Before-and-After

What: clean
Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT
Notes: Eliza's gravestone was perfectly sound and in great shape. It was just in need of a good cleaning! Eliza Thayer was the wife of Hezekiah Merwin.

LEFT: Eliza's gravestone before a good cleaning. RIGHT: After! Nice and white with daffodils blooming!

ELIZA THAYER

WIFE OF

HEZEKIAH MERWIN

DIED JULY 12, 1891

AGED 88 YRS.

Ann Eliza Konkle; Gravestone Before-and-After

What: straighten tilt, reset, clean
Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT
Notes: The backwards tilt in the gravestone was severe enough to warrant repair. Besides, a stone with this much tilt can be a hazard to clean. At some point, someone had propped up a big-old granite stone behind the gravestone to keep it from completely falling backwards. We removed that before beginning repairs.

Buried beside Eliza Thayer, is Ann Eliza Konkle, who was born in Ohio. Sometime between 1860 and 1870, Ann Konkle (daughter of Andrew and Lamira Konkle) came to live with the Eliza and Hezekiah Merwin until her death at age 21, on June 22, 1873.

BOTTOM—LEFT: Digging down to the brownstone base to straighten Ann Eliza’s tilted gravestone, while supporting the stone with braces so that it does not topple! We ended up removing Ann Eliza's gravestone from its brownstone base and re-mortaring it back into the base, nice-and-straight. RIGHT: After straightening and cleaning, and a pretty daffodil!

ANN ELIZA,

DAUGHTER OF

ANDREW J. & LAMIRA

KONKLE,

DIED JUNE 22, 1873,

AE. 21 Y’RS, 7 MO’S.

GONE HOME.

Deborah Goff (Freeman-Johnson-Sugden); Gravestone Before-and-After

What: repair, reset, clean
Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT
Notes: Deborah's gravestone was clobbered in 2017 by a dead tree that fell on it, knocking it out of its brownstone base and cracking it in half! Fortunately, in February 2022, all the dead trees were finally cut in and around the cemetery!

Deborah Goff was first married to Israel Freeman. Her second husband was Chauncy Johnson, Sr, (she was his third wife). After Chauncy died, she married William Sugden (she was his second wife). Deborah opted to be buried near Chauncy and his other wives in Maromas Cemetery. Deborah Sugden was the mother of Private Sherman Johnson. We assisted Johnson descendant, Elton “Bud” Harvey III, with the restoration of his great-grandmother, Deborah's, gravestone. Thank you, Bud! Note: Deborah is Bud's 3x great-grandmother.

LEFT: Look at that awful break! Clobbered by a falling dead tree in 2017. RIGHT: After restoration and cleaning.

DEBORAH

WIFE OF

WILLIAM SUGDEN

DIED NOV. 24, 1884

AGED 92

AT REST.

Chauncy Johnson, Jr; Gravestone Before-and-After

What: repair, reset, clean

Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT

Notes: Chauncy Jr.'s gravestone was clobbered in 2017 by a dead tree that fell, knocking it to the ground. Chauncy Jr. is the son of Chauncy Johnson Sr. and Ruth Bailey. Ruth is also buried in Maromas and died giving birth to her sixth child, Sherman. Chauncy Jr. was only 2 years-old when he lost his mother. He died at age 22.

We assisted Johnson descendant, Elton “Bud” Harvey III, with the restoration of Chauncy Johnson Jr's gravestone. Thank you, Bud!

LEFT: The break at Chauncy’s stone is close to the ground, thanks to a dead tree that fell on it in 2017. RIGHT: After repair and cleaning. Chauncy is as good as new! Grass seed will be planted during the upcoming season.

CHAUNCY JOHNSON, JR.

DIED

AUG. 27, 1850

AGED 22 YRS.

Bud and Mark resetting a Johnson gravestone

ABOVE—LEFT: Bud and Mark resetting one of the Johnson graves. The Johnsons who are buried here are Bud's family. This is the grave of Ruth Bailey Johnson and her infant son, Sherman. Ruth was the first wife of Chauncy Johnson, Sr. RIGHT: Mortaring the gravestone into its brownstone base. We use a historic pointing mortar for these repairs.

Melaine and Mark resetting the Kingsbury and Brainerd gravestones

ABOVE—LEFT: Melaine and Mark up-righting the Fred Kingsbury gravestone. The "landscapers" (and I used that term very loosely) with their mowers, were making short-work of the Kingsbury stone, so we had to get him out of the ground as soon as possible. Carless mowers have already took chunks out of other historic gravestones in Maromas! RIGHT: Melaine and Mark resetting the Jeremiah Brainerd gravestone. His gravestone was face-down in the earth with grass growing over and around it. The stone needed to be dug out first before it could be re-set. Here, the gravestone is strapped to a half-ton hoist and tripod, ready to be lifted from the ground and reset. It can get so hot at this cemetery, especially in the middle of the summer, that we invested in a tent to shelter us while we work.

Marking the graves of Betsey Butler Goff (left) and her son Erastus Goff (right).
Betsey is the aunt of Melaine Butler Smigel.
Both marble gravestones have been cleaned to white!

Here is a little example Melaine's project. We call it "Reading the Unreadables." As mentioned at the top of this page, Melaine has taken it upon herself to mark all the unreadable gravestones in Maromas with some metal grave-markers that show the individual's name and their dates of birth and death. This way, they are not forgotten even though their gravestone is no longer legible. What a beautiful project!

Alvin Clark; Gravestone Before-and-After

What: clean

Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT

Notes: Alvin Clark was the husband of Delilah Ray (Clark), and lived on Bear Hill Road in Maromas. He was a mechanic and farmer by trade, and died from "apoplexy" June 29, 1861. Buried beside him are his wife Delilah, son Private Ashbel A. Clark, and infant son, Jarred Clark.

A visitor to the cemetery actually thought new stones were placed! They certainly look new. All it took was some devotion and patience—and in a matter of months the stones clean up really nice!

ALVIN CLARK

DIED

JUNE 28, 1861.

AGED 65

Delilah Ray (Clark); Gravestone Before-and-After

What: clean

Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT

Notes: Delilah Ray was the wife of Alvin Clark. She was mother to seven children—all boys! Six of her seven children are buried in Maromas Cemetery. Buried beside her is her son, Private Ashbel A. Clark.

Look at how fabulous Delilah’s stone cleaned up! It was truly an honor to clean the Clark gravestones.

DELILAH

WIFE OF

ALVIN CLARK.

DIED SEPT. 5, 1888.

AGED 87.

Daniel K. Clark; Gravestone Before-and-After

What: clean

Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT

Notes: Daniel Knowles Clark was the husband of Susan Goff, and the son of Alvin Clark and Delilah Ray. He was also the brother of Private Ashbel A. Clark. Daniel was a stonecutter at the Maromas quarries, and a farmer in his later years.

LEFT: Before cleaning. Daniel's gravestone cannot even be read! RIGHT: After cleaning. It's white! Daniel's gravestone was actually one of the more challenging ones to clean, and took multiple cleanings to reveal the white marble.

DANIEL K. CLARK

DIED
MARCH 14, 1896.
AGED 70.

Photograph of Daniel K. Clark and his wife, Susan L. Goff.
Look at this handsome couple!

Susan L. Goff (Clark); Gravestone Before-and-After

What: clean

Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT

Notes: Susan L. Goff was the wife of Daniel K. Clark. She was the daughter of Betsey Butler and Martin Goff. Susan was mother to ten children. Her first born was Knowles D. Clark who died of scarlet fever when he was only 2 years-old. Little Knowles is buried with his mom and dad at Maromas Cemetery.

LEFT: Before cleaning. Again, the stone is barely readable. RIGHT: After cleaning! Susan has a unique epitaph that reveals exactly when she was born, and exactly when she died. Most epitaphs are not this detailed with dates.

SUSAN L.

WIFE OF

DANIEL K. CLARK

BORN JUNE 30, 1842.

DIED FEB. 10, 1907

He giveth his beloved sleep.

Franklin Freeman Brainerd; Gravestone Before-and-After

What: clean (it was an honor to clean Franklin’s stone!)

Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT

Notes: Franklin Freeman Brainerd was the son of John Brainerd and Louisa Freeman. Louisa Freeman is the half-sister of Private Sherman Johnson. Franklin is also the cousin of Daniel H. Otis.

Franklin worked as a farmer, and in 1882, when he was assisting in removing stones on the farm of his brother-in-law, Henry W. Scovill, a chain broke on a lever he was hoisting. The chain flew up and struck Franklin on the neck so severely that he survived but only a few moments! This is so tragic! I do believe the chain nailed him in the jugular vein and he bled out within moments, and died. Can you imagine the sudden shock of knowing that you only have moments to live?

The Genealogy of the Brainerd Family, 1908 says that Franklin Brainerd “was a man of excellent character, and his sudden death brought sorrow to many hearts.”

Elizabeth Bailey (Young); Gravestone Before-and-After

What: repair, reset, clean

Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT

Notes: Elizabeth Bailey of Haddam, CT, was the wife of William S. Young. She also was the mother to Elizabeth M. Young (Otis), and the maternal grandmother of Daniel H. Otis. To read more about Elizabeth Young, her children, please see the Young Family Genealogy page.

TOP & BOTTOM—LEFT: Elizabeth's gravestone was completely cleaved in two, with each piece leaning against the other. It was black with years of dirt, grime, and lichen growth. What a sad state! RIGHT: after repair and cleaning! In person, it's easy to see where the growth has literally eaten away at the white marble stone. However, it looks way better than it did, and Elizabeth is once again remembered! I created a little "rock garden" in front of her gravestone with thyme and succulents.

William S. Young (with daughter, Ruth M. Cook); Gravestone Before-and-After

What: reset (straighten tilt), clean

Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT

Notes: William S. Young was the husband of Elizabeth Bailey, the father of Elizabeth Mary Young (Otis), and the maternal grandfather of Daniel H. Otis. William was one savvy business man! An enlightening and fun sampling of his personal account book can be seen at the page: William, S. Young Account Book (1824-1838). To read more about William S. Young, please see the Young Family Genealogy page.

William shares a gravestone inscription with his daughter Ruth M. Young (Cook) who died about 4 months after he did. I have not been able to find out if Ruth, who died in New York, is actually buried with her father, or if the inscription is just a cenotaph for her on her father's gravestone.

LEFT: Before cleaning and straightening the tilt, which is actually difficult to see in the photograph. RIGHT: Cleaned to white! William's gravestone is actually a rougher type of marble than some of the stones in the cemetery. It's more "gritty" with a higher percentage of quartz than some of the others. These "grittier" marble stones do not clean up as nice as the smoother types of marble gravestones. Every gravestone has its own unique personality—just like the person they mark.

I created a little "rock garden" in front of William's grave, with thyme and succulents. We have also added black chain to the pillars that cordon off the Young Family plot. Originally, there was probably some type of ornamental brass or copper piping that cordoned off the plot.

WILLIAM YOUNG

died Aug 12, 1838

AE 58

~~~~~~~

RUTH M. COOK

his daughter

DIED

in New York

Dec. 3, 1838

AE 29

Mary Clark (Carrier); Gravestone Before-and-After

What: clean

Where: Maromas Cemetery in Middletown, CT

Notes: Mary Clark was the wife of Israel Carrier of Colchester, CT (also buried in Maromas right beside her). Israel is buried near his sister Ruth Carrier (Young). Both Israel and Ruth are the great-grandchildren of Martha Allen Carrier, who was hanged as a witch during the Salem Witch Trials. More can be read about those family connections at my page: Daniel H. Otis: Great-Grandson of Accused Salem Witch, Martha Carrier.

Mary's gravestone was actually one of the few brownstone graves that I have cleaned at Maromas. Most of the gravestones are marble. The cleaning of a brownstone grave doesn't have the "wow factor" of a marble one, but I think it cleaned up nicely!

LEFT: There was more lichen on her gravestone than the picture captures. It was embedded in the crevices of the winged angel head, and time-consuming to clean. RIGHT: But it cleaned up nicely, and considering its age, is in great condition. Please pardon the silk flower at the bottom of the photo. I should have removed it first.

In memory of

MARY CARRIER

wife of

ISRAEL CARRIER

who died Sep. 7th

1802

aged 50 years

Above: This is the James Smith, Jr gravestone at Maromas Cemetery (James was the son of James Smith Sr. and Dorothy Sears). After the broken pieces have been joined and the marble cleaned to white, Mark is now using a historic pointing mortar to infill the fine spaces that are left behind after joining the two broken pieces of stone. It's a tedious process, and patience is key.

Previously, to infill the spaces, we used a special putty that dries to a hard finish. However, we are not pleased with how the putty has been weathering over the seasons, so there a few graves that we will "redo" and infill with the mortar instead during the 2023 and 2024 Restoration Seasons.

Above: after the fine spaces have been infilled with mortar on the James Smith, Jr gravestone, the work needs to be kept damp so as to cure properly. A towel is wet to damp then wrapped around the stone, covered with plastic, and bungee-corded in place. In about 2 to 3 days (temperature depending), the mortar will be cured and "rock solid." (2023 Restoration Season)

Above: our son, cleaning the Clarissa Brainerd grave-marker. He did a great job of cleaning the lichen off Clarissa's brownstone marker! Clarissa Brainerd was the daughter of Phineas Brainerd, Sr. and Mabel Lucas. The Brainerd family are cousin-relations of Daniel H. Otis.

Spencer Babies!

This was a team-effort! I did the research end of it. Alice Tucker from Find-a-Grave, created memorial pages for the babies, and added the information and family connections that I had researched. Melaine Butler straightened and cleaned the baby's gravestones, and created metal markers with their full names on it!

These are the children of Albert E. Spencer (1863 – 1953) and Lenora Hills (1888 – 1955). The couple lost five children and five children survived to adulthood. Below, the babies are in order from left to right.